Thursday 2 February 2017

It's a bummer....

I have had insomnia for many, many years. My type is where you just cannot get to sleep. I feel quite relaxed, am not thinking of anything, indeed, I yawn quite a lot.  However, when your normally bad insomnia gets even worse, it is a real bummer:(

Usually, I have 2-3 reasonable sleeps a week and the rest are bad but bearable because of the those relatively normal sleeps.

For a few months now, every night has been dreadful and I think I don't drop off to sleep until about 3am on average, though sometimes much later. I do then sleep for roughly 4 hours after that, though with the lighter mornings, that will lessen.

Maybe my circadian rhythm is off, who knows. I have been on pills temporarily from the doctor but those only worked occasionally and I am now off them. Even when I am in hospital, sleeping pills the night before an operation rarely take effect.

Don't even get me started on the nights approaching full moon, those during the full moon and for one or two nights after it. Maybe I am a werewolf and need to give in!

As it has been such a long term problem, my body has adjusted and I don't often feel any after effects the next day. Lately though, DB is suffering the brunt of my irritability when a normal comment has an edge to it, though I think he probably forgets just why I am irritable.

I have gone through every bedroom hygiene advice possible, tried most things. Nytol does work well but it can only be taken short term and recent studies have found, that long term use of it, can cause 'brain' problems:( The same applies to Valerian and other 'sleeping aids', they should only be taken short term.

Ah well, I shall try some more adjustments, and see how it goes.

25 comments:

  1. I also have bouts of insomnia and have for years. Do you take vitamin D? I ask, because when blood work was done years ago, I had extremely low levels of vitamin D and was given a prescription. It's quite common (I'm told) in women. Now I take chew-able vitamin D supplements at night with a small glass of milk. It seems to help somewhat w/o grogginess or brain fog the next day.Hoping you find a way to get better sleep soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. All blood tests come back normal but don't know if vitamin d is checked as part of this.

      Delete
  2. Oh no! Insomnia is not a lot of fun. I'm a far better sleeper than I used to be, although if I don't get some fresh air and exercise I can struggle. I'm a bit like a dog. 😊 x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My sleep went down after child birth but it does get better for a few weeks occasionally.

      Delete
  3. St Johns Wort is a natural aid for sleep and may help.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I too suffer with insomnia. When it all gets too much I have an antihistamine tablet which helps me to sleep through the night.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is when I use nytol but am not keen to use it long term.

      Delete
  5. I have had sleep problems for years, I worked nights for a long period. I blame this for the root of the problem, add on that stress from my old job and I still struggle. My friend who is a Dr and nutritionist helped me when it got too much, I now take vitamin D and folic acid. No TV or computer/internet for 1 hour before bed. I read a real book before turning the light out. Everything is laid our for the morning so I have nothing to wake in the night thinking I havent done. I also have a notepad and pen by the side of the bed. I seem to dream lists or lists are what are waking me. I write it down and then I seem to let it go. It works for me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stopping tea after 6pm, will maybe try magnesium and possible vitamin d if all else fails.

      Delete
  6. so feel for you, I'm the same but that gives me no pleasure, Like you I get the full moon extra sleeplessness and like you the periods of para insomnia when you think it just can’t go on like this. Good luck and thanks for the blog which always brings pleasure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Maybe I should try staying up for 24 hours:(

      Delete
  7. Occasionally perhaps twice a month, I take Phenergan 25 mg , which you can buy over the counter ( it is for travel sickness) but it makes you very sleepy. When I feel desperate for a catch up sleep , it does the trick. I am very careful to only take it occasionally , but might be worth a try ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm trying where possible to not take drugs but thanks for the info.

      Delete
  8. I sleep well -probably due to the nerve suppressant tablet which stops the prickliness of restless-leg thingy. My trouble is getting up!

    Just heard Andy M isn't playing in the Davis Cup - Oh dear

    ReplyDelete
  9. As per first comment, I had hardly and vitamin D present. Don't think it's covered in normal blood test unless requested. Now on 2000mg a day and using Nytol which are great!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Long term nytol (in the blue box),is to be avoided if possible and becomes ineffective for me with time. Have just restarted my vitamins with iron (as my levels are often low) and am trying magnesium for a month.

      Delete
  10. Have you tried an audio sleep meditation?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hands up, I really don't have the patience, had similar in the past and they drive me mad. Thanks anyway.

      Delete
  11. Do try Magnesium citrate, very good

    ReplyDelete
  12. I can really commiserate with you as I too suffer from insomnia I can drop off to sleep but wake about 1:30-ish and then cannot get back to sleep. I often read for a couple of hours altho' my hubby is very good and often makes a cuppa. Then I drop back off to sleep about 4.. fortunately being retired I don't have a job to get up for, altho' I am usually in the 'wide awake club' at 6am!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Annoying isn't it! With the lighter mornings and birdsong, it will get worse for me.

      Delete
  13. Have you tried Montmorency cherry juice? It's natural and pleasant tasting. It's been used for years as an alternate remedy for gout/arthritis and insomnia. My GP recommended it. I take it an hour before bedtime and I sleep better for it. I used to get around four hours sleep, but since taking the juice I sleep for around six hours or more.

    ReplyDelete

I love hearing from you, will read all your comments and try and answer any questions you leave. Please leave comments in English. Don't forget to come back and read my reply! All comments are moderated so if you try to link it to a commercial web site, it will not be published.